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( O'MOdBL) B. L. COUTANT.

WIRE AND PIGKET FENCE MACHINE.

No 589,165. Patented Aug. 81,1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENONI L. COUTANT, OF MOKINLEY, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SANDFORD C. ROWE, OF SAME PLACE.

WIRE-AN D-PICKET-FENCE MACHINEJ SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 589,165, dated August 31, 1897.

Application filed October 31, 1896. Serial No. 610,687. (No model.)

companying drawings, and to the letters of.

reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

The specialobjectof the invention is to make a machine by which the four wires which hold the pickets of a fence, two at the top and two at the bottom, may be crossed as quickly and with as little labor as possible.

Figure 1 is a perspective view in the drawings of a fence in process of constructionwith the wire-crosser and tension device in their proper relative positions. Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged views showing the crosser in its two extreme positions. showing the headed studs, collars, and hooks, on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view through the stud and hook shown in Fig. 4..

In the drawings, A represents a rod with the handle a and arms B B, the latter provided with a stop 5 and bearings 19 b. In

the latter is journaled a shaft 0, with the handle 0 and reversed end cranks c 0. One of the cranks works against the stop I), so as to limit the rotation of the shaft 0. D D are curved plates with one side attached to the cranks,while on the opposite side are placed hooks E, which are pivoted on studs F, having the heads f and antifriction-collars G. These hooks, collars, and studs are each four in number, one of each being also placed at the crank where the stud is integral therewith. The stud-heads f are cut away at f to Fig. 4 is a detail view I first stretch the wires by means of the tension device, consisting of the plates H and J, screw-post L, fixed to plate J, the levernut K, and the headed studs I on plate J. The nut K is first loosened and a wire doubled over the post L, so as to pass 011 both "sides thereof, the two parts being then carried over the first stud, then under the second, and so on,while the required tensionis obtained by means of the lever-nut and small plate H on the post. wire-crosser are then spread apart and the flattened edge of the stud-heads and the free ends of the hooks brought opposite to each other, when the wires are slipped into the hooks. the left hand and the shaft-handle c in the right hand,while a picket is put into its proper position, the shaft being then turned until the; wires at top and bottom are properly crossed. with successive pickets.

What I claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is-

A wire-picket-fence machine, consisting of a handled rod with arms B B, a handled shaft 75 inbearings of said arms and with reversed end cranks, curved plates made fast to said cranks, and hooks E pivoted on studs whose heads are cut away on one side, all combined,

constructed and arranged substantially as 80 shown and described.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENONI L. COUTANT. Witnesses:

- W. A. COKER,

W. S. CHRUMLEA.

allow the wire to be put in the hook when the 45 The two handles a and c of the The rod-handle CL is now taken in The same proceeding is followed 

